What an IP address is and why you need to know yours

An IP address is a number that identifies your computer on your network, the same way a street address identifies your house. Every device connected to your home network — your laptop, phone, printer, security camera — has one. You need to know your computer's IP address when you're troubleshooting network problems, setting up port forwarding for security cameras, or logging into your router to change its settings.

There are two types: your public IP address is what the outside internet sees (your internet service provider assigns this), and your private IP address is what devices on your home network use to talk to each other. This guide covers finding your private IP address, which is the one you'll need for home network tasks.

Key Takeaways

  • Your private IP address is a number like 192.168.1.5 that identifies your computer only on your home network.
  • On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig to see your IP address listed as "IPv4 Address".
  • On Mac, go to System Settings, click Network, select your connection, and look for "IP Address" in the details.
  • On Linux, open a terminal and type ip addr show or ifconfig to display all network information.
  • Your IP address may change if you restart your router or computer, so check it again if you're troubleshooting a connection problem.

Finding your IP address on Windows

The fastest way on Windows is through Command Prompt. Press the Windows key, type cmd, and press Enter. A black window opens. Type ipconfig and press Enter.

Look for the section labeled with your connection type — usually "Ethernet adapter" if you're plugged in with a cable, or "Wireless LAN adapter" if you're on Wi-Fi. Under that section, find the line that says "IPv4 Address". The number next to it (something like 192.168.1.5 or 10.0.0.3) is your private IP address.

If you prefer not to use Command Prompt, you can also find it through Settings. Go to Settings, click Network & Internet, select your connection type, and scroll down to "IP address" in the details section.

Finding your IP address on Mac

On Mac, go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions) and click Network. Select the connection you're using — Wi-Fi or Ethernet — from the list on the left.

Click the "Details" or "Advanced" button, then look for the "IP Address" field. The number shown there is your private IP address. If you don't see a Details button, the IP address may be displayed directly in the main window next to "IP Address".

You can also use Terminal if you're comfortable with it. Open Terminal (in Applications > Utilities), type ifconfig, and press Enter. Look for the section matching your connection type and find the line starting with "inet" — the number after it is your IP address.

Finding your IP address on Linux

Open a terminal window. Type ip addr show and press Enter. This displays all your network interfaces and their IP addresses. Look for the connection you're using (usually eth0 for wired or wlan0 for Wi-Fi) and find the line starting with "inet". The number after it is your private IP address.

If that command doesn't work, try ifconfig instead. The layout is slightly different but the information is the same — look for "inet addr" or "inet" and the number next to it.

Understanding what you're looking at

Private IP addresses on home networks usually start with 192.168, 10.0, or 172.16. If you see something completely different — like a number starting with 169.254 — your computer isn't properly connected to the network and you should restart your router and computer.

The numbers after the IP address (like /24 or with a subnet mask) tell your network how many devices can be on it. You don't need to change these for basic troubleshooting. The important part is the IP address itself.

Why your IP address changes and what to do about it

Your router assigns IP addresses automatically through something called DHCP. This means your computer might get a different number the next time you restart your router or reconnect to the network. For most everyday use, this doesn't matter.

If you're setting up something that needs to stay at the same address — like port forwarding to a security camera or a network printer — you have two options. You can assign a static IP address in your router's settings (the router's manual or support page explains how), or you can just check the address again when you need it. For home network security purposes, checking it fresh each time is often simpler than setting up static addresses.

Checking your public IP address

Your public IP address is different from your private one — it's what websites see when you visit them. To find it, open any web browser and search for "what is my IP" or visit a site like whatismyipaddress.com. The number displayed is your public IP address.

You don't need your public IP address for home network setup. It's useful mainly if you're trying to access your home network from outside your house (like checking a security camera while you're away), or if you're troubleshooting an internet connection problem with your service provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my IP address change if I restart my computer?

It might. Your router assigns addresses automatically, so restarting your computer could give it a different one. If you need the same address for something specific, check it again after restarting. For most tasks, the change doesn't matter.

What if I see multiple IP addresses when I run ipconfig or ifconfig?

You're seeing all your network connections. If you have both Wi-Fi and Ethernet plugged in, you'll see both. Use the IP address for whichever connection you're actually using. If you're only using one, pick that one.

Is my private IP address a security risk?

No. Private IP addresses only work on your home network — they're not visible to the outside internet. Your public IP address is visible, but that's normal and expected. Knowing your own private IP address is necessary for network setup and troubleshooting.

Can I change my IP address myself?

You can assign a static IP address through your router's settings, which prevents it from changing. Most routers have this option in their admin panel. Your router's manual or support page explains the steps. For basic home network use, you don't need to do this.